Grade point average, abbreviated as GPA, is the average result of all your grades and is calculated on a 7-point grading scale.
Grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to 4.0.
Students are very often made to believe that a good GPA is essential for any top-notch university or college for any course or program. Whereas, this is not true. While shortlisting candidates for their programs, the university looks at GPA and the overall profile the candidate has had. For instance, a candidate with just a 3.0 GPA with many co-curricular activities and experience might be the optimum choice for a college.
That said, many universities are lowering their GPA requirement to invite candidates from extremely diverse profiles.
CGPA to Percentage Conversion Certificate
How to get into a university with a low GPA?
As we already mentioned, universities are becoming more and more open-minded. They are accepting applicants with low GPA scores, given that they have a good overall profile.
Here are some ways you can enhance your profile and higher the chances of getting selected even though you have a low GPA.
1. Explain yourself
Most people will tell you to avoid mentioning your scores at all, be it on your SOP, during your interview, or otherwise. Do not listen to them.
The admissions committee at any university will notice your academic scores. It is better to explain yourself in your SOP or write a separate Explanation Letter about why your GPA is low.
2. Highlight a few subjects
Even though your overall score may be less, the chances are that you have high scores in particular areas or subjects. Highlight that in your SOP or the Explanation Letter and talk about how you’re ready to pursue your favourite course at their university.
3. Score high in GRE or GMAT
To showcase that you can do something when you put your mind to it, you can improve your GRE scores or GMAT scores.
4. Focus more on other parts of your application
Send stellar references to the university, highlight your projects, internships, work experience, and publications. This would make the admission committee see that you never lost focus on your career.
List of graduate schools with low GPA requirements
Below we have a list of 100 graduate universities of the USA with low GPA acceptance.
Universities in North America are usually very clear about their GPA requirements.
But now, several of these colleges are offering admissions to students with low GPA scores.
Instead, they have decided to focus on other essential aspects of a student’s profile, like projects, publications, and internships. In contrast, the others might ask you to complete additional coursework while studying at the university after admission.
This is not the case for universities in other countries, like UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Here, the universities do appreciate students with good GPA. But they do not have any set requirements for a student’s academic scores.
As for the US, here is a list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements-
.
- The University of Arkansas at Little Rock – 3.21
- The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – 3.37
- Western Governors University – a minimum requirement not listed
- The University of Louisiana at Monroe – 3.43
- The University of Maine at Presque Isle – 3.00
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore – 2.93
- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – 3.25
- Albany State University – 2.0
- Liberty University – 2.0
- Dallas Nursing Institute – 2.0
- Family of Faith Christian University – 2.0
- Fort Hays State University – 2.0
- Gwynedd Mercy University – 2.0
- Lewis Clark State College – 2.0
- Medaille College – 2.0
- Purdue University Global – 2.5
- North Carolina State University – 2.0
- Texas A&M International University – 2.0
- University of Houston, Clear Lake – 2.0
- University of Maine – 2.0
- West Texas A&M University – 2.0
- Troy University Troy, Alabama – 2.5 on a scale of 4
- ECPI – 2.5
- Endicott College – 2.5
- Grace Christian University – 2.5
- University of Southern Indiana – 2.5
- California State University San Bernardino, California – 2.5 on a scale of 4
- Southern New Hampshire University – 2.5
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania – 3.0
- Lamar University – 3.0
- The College of Westchester – 3.0
- Massachusetts State University
- Capella University – 2.7
- Cal Poly Pomona – 2.5
- California State University East Bay – 2.5
- CSU Fresno – 2.75
- California State University Fullerton – 2.5
- CSU Long Beach – 2.7
- California State University Northridge – 2.5
- Grand Canyon University – 2.8
- DePaul University – 2.5
- Eastern Michigan University – 2.7
- Gannon University – 2.5
- Humboldt State University – 2.5
- Jackson state university – 2.5
- Full Sail University Winter Park, Florida – 2.0
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities – 3.0
- Fresno City College – 2.4
- Vorhees College – 2.0
- Livingstone College – 2.3
.
- McHenry County College – 2.3
- Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas – 2.5 on a scale of 4
- South Suburban College – 2.3
- Southern University at New Orleans – 2.3
- Talladega College – 2.4
- Richland Community College – 2.2
- Louisburg College – 2.3
- Metropolitan College of New York – 2.1
- National University San Diego, California – 2.5 on a scale of 4
- Virginia University of Lynchburg – 2.0
- Benjamin Franklin of Technology – 2.3
- Southeast Technical Institute – 2.4
- University of the West – 2.4
- The University of South Carolina Beaufort – 3.39
- Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska – 2.5 on a scale of 4
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke – 3.55
- University of Washington Tacoma – 3.29
- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford – 3.31
- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – 3.51
- State University of New York Brockport, New York – 3 on a scale of 4
- The University of Texas at Tyler – 3.38
- The University of Wisconsin Parkside – 3.09
- Arkansas State University – 2.75
- Arkansas Tech University – 2.75
- Bradley University – 2.75
- Colorado State University, Global Campus – 3.0 for Masters
- Northcentral University – a minimum requirement not listed
- Strayer University – 2.5
- Connecticut State University
- University of Hawaii
- The CUNY system in NYC
- The Oregon University
- University of Rhode Island
- California State University Channel Islands, California – 2.5 on a scale of 4
.
- Indiana University Northwest – 3.03
- The University of Michigan at Flint – 3.4
- The University of Minnesota Crookston – 3.21
- University of Missouri Kansas City – 3.38
- The University of Nebraska at Kearney – 3.48
- Louisiana State University Shreveport – 3.29
- Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri – 3.0
- Tiffin University Tiffin, Ohio – 3.0
- Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire – 3.0
- Metropolitan College of New York New York City, New York – 3.0The
- The City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington –3 on a 4-point scale
- Northwood University Midland, Michigan – 3.0
- University of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi – 3.0
- Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington –3 on a 4-point scale
- Arizona State University Phoenix, Arizona –3 on a 4-point scale
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities – 3.0
Here was our guide on 100 graduate schools with their GPA requirement.
FAQs
We have answered some frequently asked questions for your ease.
Q1. Which university should I apply to?
Ans. Our suggestion is, shortlist your colleges wisely. Do not just pick from this list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements because you are unsure of your scores. Choose them because you like the course, find the curriculum fascinating, and love the faculty.
Q2. What GPA is required for Harvard?
Ans. 4.18, Harvard requires you to be at the top of your class. You will need nearly straight A’s in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking challenging classes – AP or IB courses – to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Q3. Do I need to submit a letter for my low GPA?
Ans. Yes, we highly advise you to do so. It shows how honest you are about why you have a low GPA. It impresses the university, and no further questions will be asked about that. They will then look at your overall profile.
We truly hope we were able to resolve any queries you might have had about graduate schools with low GPA requirements. For further assistance, you get int0 touch with our counsellors at ForeignAdmits.
Good luck!
How to Convert DGPA to Percentage
At ForeignAdmits, we understand how important this decision is. We are here to help you every step of the way, from finding the right school to getting admitted and securing scholarships.
We have a team of experienced counselors who can provide you with customized guidance based on your individual needscontact us today to get started. We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals!